How To: Tell A Story Like A Stand-up

Never Tell A Boring Story Again

Use story twists

A story should not be filled with fake punch lines, otherwise it will cease being believable. However, the rule most stand-ups use is that there should be a laugh or twist every eight seconds or so. The surprises keep the listeners engaged. Instead of saying: “There was a dog… that reminds me, what’s the deal with dogs?” tell a funny detail about the dog, such as: “This German Shepherd looked like he still believed the Third Reich was in power.” Pepper the story with quick pieces of humorous, applicable backstory. If the natural progress of the anecdote suddenly curves, don’t worry about piling a joke onto it. If the audience is truly listening, a sudden shift will be enough.

Work the crowd

Crowds think a stand-up comic is a genius when he asks an audience member a question, then breaks into a hilarious story that’s similar to the person’s answer. They’re not geniuses, only practiced in asking leading questions. So, the stand-up will ask: “Who plays Pictionary?” and observe a man clapping and nodding his head, yes. “Doesn’t it drive you insane when you’re playing with your wife and she can’t tell what you’re drawing?” The nodding man answers yes, and the comic launches into the story he was going to tell in the first place. Ask the listeners questions during the story; it keeps them involved and they’ll laugh more when they relate.

Act out the characters

Sometimes an event or person’s mannerism isn’t funny until it’s relayed in an exaggerated reenactment. Mimic the cab drivers accent or the surprised face of the Amish man. Just be careful not to say too many “I was like… And then he was like… And then I was like…” This is difficult for most people to do unless they’re already a trained actor, which leads into our next point, which is practice.

Practice

Even the best stand-up comics continue to do open mike nights to practice their new material and stay fresh. Try to work favorite stories into conversations with as many people as possible, but don’t wedge it in unnaturally or tell the story to the same person multiple times. Don’t be known as “Cat Story Johnny.” Go to a party, work it in a few times around the room, and switch to something new. Wait for another group on another day and work it in again.

End on the biggest laugh

Listeners will often only remember the last part of an act or a story. If the ending is flat, it will ruin all of the hilarious parts leading up to it. Leave the audience wanting more and people will beg for another anecdote.

Some storytellers are just engaging, some are frighting, some are horrible, and some are hilarious. We're not trying to suggest or encourage you to start a new career and to take your show on the road, but we are trying to help you improve your received perception in social situation. Learn how to tell a story like a stand-up and you'll do just that — and who knows, maybe you'll score the hottest babe at the party.